Hallmark Christmas Movie Cookie Game

 

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is sitting down with a hot cup of coffee after dinner and flipping to the Hallmark channel to indulge myself in some romantic Christmas movies. Call me crazy, but I really do enjoy these predictable movies. I say “predictable” because well, they are. Everyone knows the girl and guy are going to get together in the end. Frankly, that’s why I feel so relaxed while watching them!

I’ve come up with a little game to play while watching any Hallmark Christmas movie. I’d call it a drinking game, but I feel like the holidays should be spent somewhat sober. Instead, I’m calling it a cookie game. Every time you check off something on the list I’m about to give you, you get to eat a Christmas cookie. Should be easy, right?

Right click and save the image below so you can print it out and enjoy yourselves! Feel free to add your own items to this list in a comment below!

Ranked: Best Chick Flicks

A friend of mine at work was showing me a list of the top 20 western films of all time according to another blogger. Not being the connoisseur of western movies that he and his other male counterparts are, I decided to try to win at their game by writing my own list of top chick flicks. You girls may want to add a few or even take away some, but if I had a 48 hour drive somewhere and I needed to kill time, I’d be packin’ heat with these lovelies.

Top 15 Chick Flicks

15. Letters to Juliet– It’s romantic, funny, and set in Italy. All the elements of a good girl movie.

14. Aquamarine– Flashback to my middle-early high school days! Seriously, the best Disney/Nickelodeon cast of teen girls ever.

13. The Notebook– I love Rachel McAdams and James Marsden is my man. You read that right, I didn’t swoon over Noah in the movie, I was in love with Lon. Sue me.

12. It’s Complicated– This movie is awkwardly hilarious. I was stuck on a plane coming back from Orlando and this was the only movie that I could get in while up in there. Is it weird that I love this movie only because she’s an amazing baker and Steve Martin is in it?

11. The Devil Wears Prada– Meryl Streep is the epitome of #girlboss in this movie and her hair is on point. I love the little look inside the elusive fashion world we all sub-consciously wonder about.

10. Twilight– Edward Cullen *swoon*. I’m Team Edward. Deal with it.

9. Made of Honor– Patrick Dempsey is such a cutie and he really knocked it off the park with this rom-com.

8. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants– Such a classic for us girls! A story of best friends, exotic travels, and even more exotic men (if you’re Lena that is). What more could I ask for?

7. Clueless– This is a cult classic. It just is. Rich, unassuming girl spending daddy’s money and trying to do good in the world? How cute.

6. Mean Girls– Regina George. On Wednesdays, we Wear Pink. Everyone gets those references. Nuff’ said.

5. Cinderella– Not the 1950s Cindy, the new Lilly James version that came out this year. It struck a chord in me. I can’t get over how beautiful it was. Prince Charming was also just swoon-worthy. When Ella says that everyone is looking at him, he replies “Believe me, they’re all looking at you.” How sweet is that?

4. How to Marry a Millionaire– An old Marilyn Monroe movie that is as vain as it sounds. These ladies want to marry money and they’re having a hard time finding it. Story of my life. Oops, I shouldn’t say that.

3. The Princess Diaries– Most of us grew up wanting to be princesses and we were able to watch Anne Hathaway actually become one. Not to mention we rekindled our love of Julie Andrews. The woman never ages and always looks beautiful.

2. Legally Blonde– Elle Woods. Need I say more?

1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s– My best friend would kill me if this weren’t at the top of my list. Audrey Hepburn is an icon and this movie is her legacy. A helpless girl who has a love affair with expensive things and the wrong guys, sounds like me for sure.

What did I miss? Let me know!

Cinderella Inspired Favorites

I think most of us have recently fallen in love with Cinderella again. The movie, though I haven’t seen it, looks spectacular! An updated classic, if done correctly, can be so beautiful. I’m hoping that this movie is everything I think it will be! The trailer looked incredible, especially when Cinderella is dancing with the prince and she comments that everyone is staring at him to which he replies, “No, believe me, they’re all looking at you.” How romantic and sweet is that? I just can’t get over it. #Swoon

Speaking of Cinderella, have you seen Lauren Conrad’s collection for Kohl’s? I can’t get over how gorgeous everything is! I stopped in the other day to get a better look and fell in love with pretty much everything. The fastest way to my heart is through a tulle skirt and lots of sparkles.

Another collection I’m loving is the MAC Cinderella line. The eye shadow palette has sold out online! I’m headed to the my nearest Sephora next week to see if they have any. I know I’m on a no shopping diet (Lent), but I really want to see this beautiful palette in person. I would love to try on the lipsticks as well. These people cut right to my heart with the pretty things they sell!

Let me know what Cinderella inspired things you’re loving right now!

What I Gave Up for Lent

If I could sum up my first world problems in a movie title it would be the 2009 chick flick, Confessions of a Shopoholic. Like Isla Fischer’s character, Rebecca, in the movie, I get a bit of a high from finding a sale and swiping my card to pay for my purchases. It just makes me happy. As Rebecca says “Because when I shop, the world gets better.”

I’m such a spender! Not on electronics or going out to eat a bunch, but on pretty things that I don’t actually need but are on sale. I love a sale and a bargain. Therein lies my problem. I can’t resist a good deal and it’s becoming my worst enemy! I tried everything to stop myself; budgeting wasn’t helping and neither was my parents’ warnings about living within my means. I decided that in order to get my problem under control I had to take more drastic measures.

Like many religious people, I gave up something for Lent this year. Many of my friends gave up chocolate or social media, but I gave up shopping. That’s right, I quit cold-turkey. It’s been about two weeks since I last swiped my credit card. At first, it was so depressing. Seeing all of this stuff I want and not allowing myself to buy it was quite a victory though. The funny thing is I never felt victorious because I was just thinking about the stuff I wanted. I still kind of am.

Despite all of this, I’ve been really happy about all the money I’ve saved! I can finally start really paying off my credit card and am able to pay that stupid graduation application fee I still haven’t paid. A lot of what needed to happen is finally happening because I’m not spending my money on silly things that I don’t need. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.

Shopping for me has always been part of my self-worth. I realize how bad this sounds and how wrong it is, but I’m telling you the hard truth. I place my own personal value in what I buy, what I can afford, and even what labels I’m wearing. What I gave up for Lent, is not only about allowing myself to rely on God to fill the gap between myself and something I can barely live without, it’s allowing myself to be vulnerable to others and how they see me. Honestly, I don’t think anyone sees me any differently because they never noticed what I bought or what I wore in the first place; only I noticed these things (and my bank may have too). This experience is allowing me to redefine how I see myself and that’s a powerful thing.

A Christmas Village

In a previous post, I mentioned that every once in awhile my town has an event that reminds me of the Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow. Last night was one of those events. Thousands showed up for a little event called “Christmas Village” that was held at our local fairgrounds. As I was driving over to the event, I kept wondering to myself how on Earth they were going to transform the county fair’s stinky, dirty buildings, used for showing of 4-H stuff and farm animals, and make it into a quaint “village.” To my surprise, they were able to “flip” the space into something quite lovely.

They decorated the roof of each building with white lights and had the doors surrounded by holly and evergreen with lights mixed in. There were also big bows and ribbons adorning little Christmas trees around the area. The centerpiece of the event was the magnificent tree. It was absolutely beautiful with the lights that changed color on it periodically.

There were several local food vendors there selling cider, cocoa, kettle corn, and other seasonal items. Many tradesmen were there selling crafts and creations. For the kids, they had a giant, inflatable slide (40 ft high), a cookie decorating station, reindeer food-making station, and train rides around the fair grounds. On the loud speakers, they played Christmas music and the occasional song from Frozen.

The only down side to the event was the number of people attending and the chilly temperatures. I’m not one for crowds or cold weather! I don’t know how many times someone either cut me off while walking or decided to take a Sunday stroll right in front of me. Both of these things drive me crazy!

After we got home, my mom and I warmed up some tea and cider while settling down next to the tree for a Christmas movie marathon. All in all, it was a lovely night!